Tamper resistant latch for product dispensers

ABSTRACT

Various tamper resistant latches for product dispensers are provided herein. An example product dispenser includes a housing capable of being opened. When closed, the housing defines an at least partially enclosed internal space for receiving a supply of product and limiting access to the supply of product. A latch comprises a base portion mounted to the housing, a first arm, and a second arm. The first arm and second arm each extend from the base portion and are each capable of being independently moved from a biased locked position to an unlocked position such that either of the first arm or the second arm may move to the unlocked position without causing the other to also move to the unlocked position—thereby providing a tamper resistant latch where both the first arm and the second arm need to move to the unlocked position to enable opening of the housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Example embodiments of the present invention generally relate to productdispensers and, more particularly to, latches for opening or otherwiseproviding access to portions/components of the product dispensers, suchas for performing maintenance operations regarding the productdispensers.

BACKGROUND

Product dispensers are used to provide on-demand product (e.g., sheetproduct (e.g., paper towel, tissue, napkin, etc.), soap, cutlery, airfreshener, etc.) to users. For example, in response to a user request orafter a certain amount of time, a mechanism (e.g., a motor, a pump,etc.) of the dispenser may cause dispensing of the product (or a portionthereof) to occur. Additionally or alternatively, the product dispensermay provide access to a user to utilize a mechanism (e.g., a rollholder, a lever, etc.) to cause dispensing of the product (or a portionthereof), such as ripping off a sheet of tissue.

The product dispenser may include a housing that can store and/orprovide access to a supply of product. It may be desirable to limitaccess to the supply of product or other components of the productdispenser, such as to a maintainer for maintenance operations (e.g., toreplace the supply of product, to fix a component, to replace batteries,etc.). In this regard, some product dispensers include a lock featurethat restricts such access, such as by preventing opening of the housingwithout a key.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present invention provide tamper resistantlatches for product dispensers. In this regard, some embodiments providea latch that includes two (or more) independently movable arms, whereeach arm must be disengaged from a latch capture feature of the housingto enable opening of the housing of the product dispenser. Such a latch,in some embodiments, may include two flexible alms that are connected atan end, but utilize one or more living hinges to enable independentflexing of the arms. In other example embodiments, the arms may formcantilevered members such that they are not connected at their ends.

Notably, in some embodiments, by providing independently movable arms, asingle instrument (e.g., a screwdriver) would be unable to facilitateopening of the housing because only one arm would be disengaged from thelatch capture feature (with the other arm still being engaged with thelatch capture feature)—thereby providing a tamper resistant latch. Insome embodiments, a two legged key may be utilized to move eachindependent arm to an unlocked position to enable opening of the housingof the product dispenser.

Various example latches described herein may be utilized with any typeof product dispenser, such as to limit access to portions or componentsof the product dispenser (or any housing generally). Regarding productdispensers, some example product dispensers include paper toweldispensers, napkin dispensers, tissue dispensers, cutlery dispensers,soap dispensers, and air freshener dispensers.

In an example embodiment, a product dispenser for dispensing productfrom a supply of product is provided. The product dispenser comprises ahousing comprising a first portion and a second portion. The firstportion is configured to move between an open position and a closedposition, wherein, when in the closed position, the first portion andthe second portion define an at least partially enclosed internal spacefor receiving the supply of product and limiting access to the supply ofproduct. The product dispenser further includes a latch comprising abase portion mounted to the first portion. The latch further comprises afirst arm that extends from the base portion. The first arm is capableof being moved from a biased locked position to an unlocked position.The first arm defines a first arm engagement feature that is configuredto engage a latch capture feature of the second portion of the housingwhen the first arm is in the locked position and the first portion ofthe housing is in the closed position so as to prevent the first portionfrom moving from the closed position. The latch further includes asecond arm that extends from the base portion. The second arm is capableof being moved from a biased locked position to an unlocked position.The second arm defines a second arm engagement feature that isconfigured to engage the latch capture feature of the second portion ofthe housing when the second arm is in the locked position and the firstportion of the housing is in the closed position so as to prevent thefirst portion from moving from the closed position. The first arm isindependently movable with respect to the second arm such that either ofthe first arm or the second arm may move to the unlocked positionwithout causing the other of the first arm or the second arm to alsomove to the unlocked position.

In some embodiments, the latch defines a first end and a second end. Thebase portion of the latch is mounted to the first portion of the housingproximate the first end. The first arm extends from the base portiontoward the second end of the latch. The second arm extends from the baseportion toward the second end of the latch.

In some embodiments, the latch further comprises a connection armextending between the first arm and the second arm proximate the secondend of the latch such that the first arm and the second arm areconnected. In some embodiments, the connection arm comprises at leastone living hinge that enables the first arm to independently flex withrespect to the second arm. In some embodiments, the connection armcomprises a first living hinge proximate the first arm and a secondliving hinge proximate the second arm.

In some embodiments, the first arm forms a first cantilever and thesecond arm forms a second cantilever such that the first arm and thesecond arm are not connected proximate the second end of the latch.

In some embodiments, the product dispenser further comprises a lockcomprising a first hole and a second hole and a rib positionedtherebetween. The lock is positioned proximate the latch on one of thefirst portion or the second portion and such that the first hole alignswith the first arm of the latch and that the second hole aligns with thesecond arm of the latch. The first hole and the second hole enableinsertion of a portion of a key to move the first arm to the unlockedposition and the second arm to the unlocked position at a same time.

In some embodiments, the key defines a first key leg and a second keyleg. When the key is inserted into the lock, the first key leg isconfigured to fit within the first hole and engage the first arm to movethe first arm to the unlocked position and the second key leg isconfigured to fit within the second hole and engage the second arm tomove the second arm to the unlocked position.

In some embodiments, the product dispenser further comprises a buttonthat is configured to be removably mounted within the lock and movedbetween a first position and a second position. When the button is movedto the second position, the button is configured to engage the first armto move the first arm to the unlocked position and engage the second armto move the second arm to the unlocked position.

In some embodiments, the product dispenser further comprises a mechanismfor enabling dispensing of product from the supply of product, whereinthe supply of product comprises a roll of sheet product, and wherein themechanism comprises a roll holder for receiving the roll of sheetproduct and enabling dispensing from the product dispenser.

In some embodiments, the product dispenser further comprises a mechanismfor enabling dispensing of product from the supply of product, whereinthe supply of product comprises a roll of sheet product, wherein themechanism comprises a drive roller and a motor, and wherein the motoroperates to cause the drive roller to dispense a portion of the roll ofsheet product from the product dispenser.

In some embodiments, the product dispenser further comprises a mechanismfor enabling dispensing of product from the supply of product, whereinthe supply of product comprises a reservoir of flowable material, andwherein the mechanism comprises a pump that is configured to activate tocause a portion of the flowable material to dispense from the productdispenser.

In some embodiments, the product dispenser further comprises a mechanismfor enabling dispensing of product from the supply of product, whereinthe supply of product comprises a reservoir of air freshener, andwherein the mechanism comprises a spray pump that is configured toactivate to cause a portion of the air freshener to dispense from theproduct dispenser.

In another example embodiment, a product dispenser for dispensingproduct from a supply of product is provided. The product dispensercomprises a housing comprising a base and a cover. The cover isconfigured to move between an open position and a closed position,wherein, when the cover is in the closed position, the base and thecover define an enclosed internal space for the supply of product. Theproduct dispenser further comprises a latch comprising a first arm,wherein the first arm is capable of being moved from a locked positionto an unlocked position. The first arm defines a first arm engagementfeature that is configured to engage a latch capture feature of thehousing when the first arm is in the locked position and the cover ofthe housing is in the closed position so as to prevent the cover frommoving from the closed position. The latch further comprises a secondarm, wherein the second arm is capable of being moved from a lockedposition to an unlocked position. The second arm defines a second armengagement feature that is configured to engage the latch capturefeature of the housing when the second arm is in the locked position andthe cover of the housing is in the closed position so as to prevent thecover from moving from the closed position. The first arm isindependently movable with respect to the second arm such that either ofthe first arm or the second arm may move to the unlocked positionwithout causing the other of the first arm or the second arm to alsomove to the unlocked position.

In some embodiments, the latch defines a first end and a second end,wherein the latch is mounted to the housing proximate the first end. Thefirst arm extends toward the second end of the latch and the second armextends toward the second end of the latch. In some embodiments, thelatch further comprises a connection arm extending between the first armand the second arm proximate the second end of the latch such that thefirst arm and the second arm are connected. The connection arm comprisesat least one living hinge that enables the first arm to independentlyflex with respect to the second arm.

In yet another example embodiment, a latch for a product dispenser fordispensing product from a supply of product is provided. The latchcomprises a base portion and a first arm that extends from the baseportion. The first arm is capable of being moved from a biased lockedposition to an unlocked position when installed in the productdispenser. The first arm defines a first arm engagement feature that isconfigured to engage a latch capture feature of a housing of the productdispenser when the first arm is in the locked position and the housingis closed so as to prevent the housing from opening. The latch furthercomprises a second arm that extends from the base portion. The secondarm is capable of being moved from a biased locked position to anunlocked position when installed in the product dispenser. The secondarm defines a second arm engagement feature that is configured to engagethe latch capture feature of the housing when the second arm is in thelocked position and the housing is closed so as to prevent the housingfrom opening. The first arm is independently movable with respect to thesecond arm such that either of the first arm or the second aim may moveto the unlocked position without causing the other of the first arm orthe second arm to also move to the unlocked position.

In some embodiments, the latch defines a first end and a second end. Thefirst arm extends from the base portion toward the second end of thelatch and the second arm extends from the base portion toward the secondend of the latch.

In some embodiments, the latch further comprises a connection armextending between the first arm and the second arm proximate the secondend of the latch such that the first arm and the second arm areconnected. The connection arm comprises at least one living hinge thatenables the first arm to independently flex with respect to the secondarm.

In some embodiments, the first arm forms a first cantilever and thesecond arm forms a second cantilever such that the first arm and thesecond arm are not connected proximate the second end of the latch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example product dispenserwith a user inserting a key into a lock to open a housing of the productdispenser, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of another example productdispenser with a key inserted in a lock for opening a housing of theproduct dispenser, wherein the cover portion is in the closed position,in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the example product dispensershown in FIG. 2A, wherein the cover portion is in the open position, inaccordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example latch, in accordance with some embodimentsdiscussed herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the exampleproduct dispenser of FIG. 2, wherein an example latch and lock forlimiting access to the product dispenser are shown, in accordance withsome embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 5 illustrates the cross-sectional view of the portion of theexample product dispenser shown in FIG. 4, where an example key has beeninitially inserted into the lock, in accordance with some embodimentsdiscussed herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates the cross-sectional view of the portion of theexample product dispenser shown in FIG. 5, where the key has beenfurther inserted into the lock and the arms of the latch have moved toan unlocked position, in accordance with some embodiments discussedherein;

FIG. 7 illustrates another example latch shown mounted in a portion of aproduct dispenser with a key inserted in a lock and engaged with thearms of the latch, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the product dispenser shownin FIG. 7 with a screwdriver being inserted into the lock in an effortto open the housing of the product dispenser, wherein only one of thearms disengages from a latch capture feature such that the housing isstill not able to be opened, in accordance with some embodimentsdiscussed herein;

FIG. 9 illustrates another example latch, in accordance with someembodiments discussed herein;

FIG. 10 illustrates installation of an example button for use withexample latches described herein;

FIG. 11 illustrates the button of FIG. 10 installed in the lock andready for use with example latches described herein, in accordance withsome embodiments discussed herein; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an example product dispenserusable with various embodiments discussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allexample embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described andpictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to thescope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather,these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure willsatisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer tolike elements throughout.

Though various example embodiments described herein relate to sheetproduct dispensers, some embodiments of the present inventioncontemplate use of various described embodiments with any type ofdispensers, product dispensers, or the like. For example, someembodiments of the present invention can be utilized with respect tosheet product dispensers (e.g., paper towel dispensers, napkindispensers, tissue dispensers, etc.), cutlery dispensers, soapdispensers, or air freshener dispensers.

As used herein, a “user” of example sheet product dispensers may be amaintainer (e.g., a maintenance person, a janitor, a facility manager,etc.) or a consumer (e.g., a person retrieving a dispensed portion ofthe product).

As used herein, the term “sheet product” may include a product that isrelatively thin in comparison to its length and width. Further, thesheet product may define a relatively flat, planar configuration. Insome embodiments, the sheet product is flexible or bendable to permit,for example, folding, rolling, stacking, or the like. In this regard,sheet product may, in some cases, be formed into stacks or rolls for usewith various embodiments described herein. Some example sheet productsinclude towel, bath tissue, facial tissue, napkin, wipe, wrapping paper,aluminum foil, wax paper, plastic wrap, or other sheet-like products.Sheet products may be made from paper, cloth, non-woven, metallic,polymer or other materials, and in some cases may include multiplelayers or plies. In some embodiments, the sheet product (such as in rollor stacked form) may be a continuous sheet that is severable orseparable into individual sheets using, for example, a tear bar orcutting blade. Additionally or alternatively, the sheet product mayinclude predefined areas of weakness, such as lines of perforations,that define individual sheets and facilitate separation and/or tearing.In some such embodiments, the lines of perforations may extend along thewidth of the sheet product to define individual sheets that can be tornoff by a user.

Example Access Limitation

Depending on the configuration of the product dispenser and the desiredset-up, it may be beneficial to limit access to variouscomponents/features/portions of a product dispenser, such as may besecured within a housing of the product dispenser. Such access may, forexample, be limited to a maintainer (e.g., maintenance personnel) toavoid tampering or stealing of such components/feature/portions.Additionally, hygiene is often a concern, and it may be desirable tolimit access to the stored supply of product to maintain proper hygiene(e.g., avoid unnecessary touching of the supply of product).

As noted herein, example embodiments of the present invention seek toprovide a tamper resistant latch for limiting access to variouscomponents/features/portions of a product dispenser. In someembodiments, the latch may limit the ability to open a housing of theproduct dispenser. In this regard, certain components/features/portionsof the product dispenser may be secured within the housing. In some suchembodiments, a key may be required to manipulate (e.g., move) the latch(or a portion thereof) to enable opening of the housing.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example product dispenser 10 that includes ahousing 13 that is formed of a cover portion 12 and a base portion 14. Alock 90 is positioned on a top wall 16 of the base portion 14 (althoughit could be in the cover portion 12). As illustrated, a user 17 (e.g., amaintainer) has inserted a key 95 into the lock 90 to move the latch(not shown) to the unlocked position to enable opening of the housing 13(e.g., the cover portion 12 may now be moved to an open position, suchas through rotation).

FIG. 2A illustrates another example product dispenser 100 that isconfigured to dispense sheet product from an installed roll of sheetproduct. The product dispenser 100 includes a housing 113 that is formedof a cover portion 112 and a base portion 114. A lock 190 is positionedon a top wall 116 of the cover portion 112 (although it could be in thebase portion 114). FIG. 2A illustrates the cover portion 112 in theclosed position, whereas FIG. 2B illustrates the cover portion 112 inthe open position (such as after a user inserted the key 195 into thelock 190 to move the latch to the unlocked position and rotated thecover portion 112 downwardly).

When the cover portion is in the closed position, the housing defines aninternal space sized to receive one or more supplies of product and/orone or more components of the product dispenser. FIGS. 2A and 2Billustrate example components of an example non-automated sheet productdispenser. As illustrated, the product dispenser 100 includes a rotary130 that includes a plurality of roll holders 135 that are eachconfigured to receive a roll of sheet product (not shown). One of theroll holders 135 may be positioned proximate a dispensing opening 125such that a user may pull off a portion of the installed roll of sheetproduct (e.g., by ripping at a perforation). Additional informationregarding a non-automated sheet product dispenser similar to the shownproduct dispenser 100, including components and functionality thereof,can be found in U.S. Publication No. 2018/0325332, which is assigned tothe owner of the present invention and incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

With the cover portion 112 in the open position, the user (e.g., amaintainer) may perform various maintenance operations that may not haveotherwise been able to be performed with the cover portion 112 in theclosed position. For example, the maintainer may replace previously usedsupplies of product (e.g., replace a used (or substantially used) rollof sheet product with a replacement roll of sheet product).Additionally, depending on the configuration of the product dispenser,the maintainer may replace batteries of the product dispenser or fix orclean various components.

Example Latches and Use

Embodiments of the present invention contemplate latches that aredesigned to be tamper resistant. FIGS. 3-9 illustrate various suchexample latches and their use in product dispensers. Notably, however,embodiments of the present invention also contemplate other latches thathave similar features (e.g. there are more than two arms, differentmaterial, different hinges or flexing, among other things).

FIG. 3 illustrates an example latch 150, such as for use in variousproduct dispensers described herein to limit access to variouscomponents/features/portions of the product dispensers. The latch 150defines a first end 156 and a second end 158 and includes a base portion159, a first arm 152 a, and a second arm 152 b. The first arm 152 aextends from the base portion 159 toward the second end 158. The secondarm 152 b extends from the base portion 159 toward the second end 158.In the illustrated embodiments, the first arm 152 a extends in aparallel fashion to the second arm 152 b—although other configurationsare contemplated.

In some embodiments, the latch 150 (or portions thereof) may be formedof a flexible material such that the first arm 152 a and the second arm152 b may flex or bend with respect to the base portion 159. In someembodiments, the material may be flexible, but have a high fatigue life.Example materials include nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),and polypropylene, among others.

As detailed herein, some embodiments of the present invention providefor a latch with independently movable arms so as to provide for atamper resistant latch. In order to open the housing of the productdispenser, a user would have to move both arms at the same time, asmoving just one arm will not automatically cause the other arm to move.This is true even in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, where the latch 150also includes a connection arm 165 that extends between the first arm152 a and the second arm 154 b proximate the second end 158 of the latch150. To accomplish this, the latch 150 includes at least one livinghinge along the connection arm 165 that enables independent movementamong the first arm 152 a and the second arm 152 b. In the depictedembodiment, the latch 150 includes a first living hinge 160 a proximatethe first arm 152 a and a second living hinge 160 b proximate the secondarm 152 b. Though termed a “hinge” the living hinges 160 a, 160 b may bemolded from the same material as the rest of the latch 150 and form anarea or line of reduced thickness so as to form the “hinge” that enablesindependent movement of the arms.

The latch 150 may include one or more mounting features 157 a, 157 bthat enable mounting of the latch 150 in the product dispenser. In thedepicted embodiment, the mounting features 157 a, 157 b extend from thebase portion 159 outwardly in opposite directions. Each mounting featuremay be biased to a position and include one or more protrusions or otherfeatures that are designed to interact with corresponding mountingfeatures of the product dispenser to enable mounting of the latch 150.For example, FIGS. 4-6 illustrate the latch 150 mounted within the coverportion 112 of a product dispenser 100 (although, in some embodiments,the latch 150 may be mounted within the base portion 114 of the productdispenser 100).

Notably, as will be described herein, while the base portion 159 of thelatch 150 is mounted in a stationary manner (e.g., through aninterference fit), the first arm 152 a and the second arm 152 b are notheld in place and instead are free to move between a locked position(shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) and an unlocked position (shown in FIG. 5). Insome embodiments, the first arm 152 a and the second arm 152 b are eachbiased to the locked position such that the latch 150 will automaticallyreturn to the locked position to keep the housing closed when the coverportion is in the closed position and there is no key (or button)pushing on the arms of the latch 150.

In some embodiments, the latch may include one or more engagementfeatures that are configured to interact with a corresponding latchcapture feature of the product dispenser when the latch is in the lockedposition to keep the housing closed. For example, the latch 150 shown inFIG. 3 includes an opening 162 sized to receive a protrusion (e.g., alatch capture feature 118) that extends downwardly from a top wall 116of the base portion 114 (see e.g., FIGS. 3-5). In some embodiments, thefirst arm 152 a may define a portion (e.g., a corner 153 a) that formsan engagement feature (or a part thereof) and the second arm 152 b maydefine a portion (e.g., a corner 153 b) that forms an engagement feature(or a part thereof). Further, in the illustrated embodiment, theconnection arm 165 may also form an engagement feature (or a partthereof). In this regard, some or all of the engagement features mayinteract with (e.g., receive) the latch capture feature 118 of theproduct dispenser 100 to secure the cover portion 112 in the closedposition such that the housing is closed and access is limited.

In some embodiments, the connection arm 165 may provide a secureengagement feature that provides extra support for maintainingengagement with the latch capture feature 118 until both the first arm152 a and the second arm 152 b (and, thus, the connection arm 165) movebelow the bottom of the latch capture feature 118. For example, FIGS.4-5 show the connection arm 165 engaged with the latch capture feature118 (e.g., extending across the entire latch capture feature 118),whereas FIG. 6 shows the connection arm 165 positioned in an unlockedposition below the latch capture feature 118 such that the first portion112 can be opened.

Although the depicted embodiment illustrates a protrusion as an examplelatch capture feature, other configurations of latch capture featuresare contemplated, such as a locking element, a curved catch feature,multiple protrusions, or similar structures that can be used to preventlateral movement relative to the latch (e.g., the latch andcorresponding portion of the housing are unable to move away from theother portion of the housing or vice versa such that the cover portionis unable to move to the open position).

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate different positions of the first arm 152 a and thesecond arm 152 b of an example latch 150. For example, FIGS. 4 and 5show the first arm 152 a and the second arm 152 b in the lockedposition, whereas FIG. 6 shows the first arm 152 a and the second arm152 b in the unlocked position. With the first arm 152 a and the secondarm 152 b in the unlocked position, the housing 113 of the productdispenser 100 can be opened. In the depicted embodiment, a key 195 isutilized for moving the first arm 152 a and the second arm 152 b to theunlocked position. FIG. 4 illustrates the housing 113 in the closedorientation with the cover portion 112 in the closed position and thelatch 150 in the locked position. As illustrated, the engagement feature(e.g., the opening 162) of the latch 150 has received the protrusion 118of the base portion 114.

In some embodiments, a lock of the product dispenser includes a separatehole that corresponds to each arm of the latch. For example, the lockmay have a first hole and a second hole. FIG. 4 illustrates an examplelock 190 that includes a first hole 198 a and a second hole 198 b with arib 197 positioned therebetween.

In some embodiments, the lock may be positioned proximate where thelatch is mounted. For example, the lock may be positioned on one of thefirst portion or the second portion and such that the first hole alignswith the first arm of the latch and that the second hole aligns with thesecond arm of the latch. In such a regard, the first hole and the secondhole may enable insertion of a portion of a key to move the first arm tothe unlocked position and the second arm to the unlocked position at asame time. FIG. 4 illustrates the example alignment of the first hole196 a with the first arm 152 a and the second hole 196 b with the secondarm 152 b.

In some embodiments, a key may be used to move the latch to the unlockedposition such that the first arm is moved to the unlocked position andthe second arm is moved to the unlocked position. An example key maydefine a first key leg and a second key leg. An example key 195 with afirst key leg 196 a and a second key leg 196 b is illustrated in FIG. 5.Further, FIG. 5 illustrates that the key 195 may be inserted into thelock 190, with the first key leg 196 a being configured to fit withinthe first hole 198 a and the second key leg 196 b being configured tofit within the second hole 198 b.

With reference to FIG. 6, the key 195 may be pushed through the holes198 a, 198 b in the lock 190 toward the latch 150 to cause the latch 150to unlock by moving the arms 152 a, 152 b of the latch 150 to theircorresponding unlocked positions. In this regard, the first key leg 196a may engage the first arm 152 a and the second key leg 196 b may engagethe second arm 152 b. Notably, the first key leg 196 a and the secondkey leg 196 b may be spaced apart and sufficiently elongated so as tofit in their corresponding holes 198 a, 198 b on either side of the rib197 and still engage each of the first arm 152 a and the second arm 152b, respectively. As the first key leg 196 a and the second key leg 196 bpush against the first arm 152 a and the second arm 152 b, respectively,the bias of the first arm 152 a and the second arm 152 b may be overcomesuch that the first arm 152 a and the second arm 152 b both move to theunlocked position to cause the engagement feature(s) of the latch todisengage from the latch capture feature 118 to enable opening of thehousing.

FIG. 7 illustrates another example latch 250 mounted within a baseportion 214 of a product dispenser 200. The latch 250 is similar to thelatch 150 shown and described with respect to FIGS. 3-6, however, thelatch 250 has slightly different structure with respect to theconnection arm 265. In this regard, the living hinges 260 a, 260 binclude concave sides that together lead to a portion of reducedthickness—thereby forming the living hinges.

Like the example described in FIGS. 4-6, a key 295 can be inserted intoa lock 290 in the top surface 216 of the base portion 214. A first keyleg 296 a may engage the first arm 252 a of the latch 250 and the secondkey leg 296 b may engage the second arm 252 b of the latch 250. Uponfurther insertion, the first arm 252 a and the second arm 252 b eachmove to the unlocked position, causing the first arm 252 a, the secondarm 252 b, and the connection arm 265 to disengage from a latch capturefeature (not shown) to enable moving of the cover portion (not shown) toan open position—thereby providing access to an internal space of thehousing (such as for replacing a supply of product or other maintenanceoperation).

As detailed herein, some embodiments of the present invention provide alatch that is tamper resistant. This may be accomplished by forming thelatch such that the arms are independently movable to the unlockedposition. In this regard, in some embodiments, an instrument without theproper structure will be unable to unlock the latch and open thehousing, even if it can engage one of the arms (as it would need toengage and move all of the arms at the same time). For example, aninstrument with a single leg (e.g., a screwdriver) may only engage oneof the arms and the remaining arm(s) will not move to an unlockedposition and, thus, keep the latch engaged with the latch capturefeature. FIG. 8 illustrates an example of this ability of the latch 250.As shown, a user is attempting an unauthorized access to the productdispenser 200 using a screwdriver 271. While the screwdriver 271 fitswithin the lock 290, it only contacts the second arm 252 b. When thesecond arm 252 b is moved to the unlocked position (as shown), theliving hinge 260 b flexes to prevent the downward force being applied bythe screwdriver 271 transferring to also force the first arm 252 adownwardly. As such, the first arm 252 a stays in the locked positiondespite the downward force being applied by the screwdriver 271 andmaintains engagement with the protrusion 218 to keep the cover portion212 in the closed position—thereby limiting access to the internal spaceof the housing.

Although the above described embodiment includes a living hinge,non-living hinges (e.g., hinges formed using non-integral components ormaterial) may be utilized to similar effect. As an example, in someembodiments, thin-wire type features may extend between the arms. Insuch an example, the wire-type features may help maintain some formfactor for the latch (e.g., keep the arms connected), but may alsoenable independent movement of the arms.

In some embodiments, one or more ribs may be present within the lock toform separate holes. Such separate holes force the instrument(s) beingused to fit within each holes separately (and at the same time). Suchexample embodiments provide even further tamper resistance. An exampleis shown in FIG. 4, where the lock 190 includes a rib 197 separating afirst hole 198 a and a second hole 198 b.

FIG. 9 illustrates another example latch 350 that is formed to enableindependent movement of its arms. Similar to the latch 150 shown in FIG.3, the latch 350 includes a base portion 359 at a first end 356 andmounting features 357 a, 357 b for mounting the latch 350 within thehousing of the product dispenser. The latch 350 also includes a firstarm 352 a and a second arm 352 b. Notably, however, the latch 350 isdifferent from latch 150 shown in FIG. 3 because the first arm 352 a andthe second arm 352 b are not connected at the second end 358 of thelatch 350, whereas the first arm 152 a and the second arm 152 b of thelatch 150 are connected via a connection arm 165 at the second end 158of the latch 150. In this regard, the first arm 352 a forms a firstcantilever with a first engagement feature 366 a and the second arm 352b forms a second cantilever with a second engagement feature 366 b. Eachof the first engagement feature 366 a and the second engagement feature366 b are configured to separately engage with the latch capturefeature(s) to retain the latch 350 and the mounted portion of thehousing in the locked and closed position. In such an embodiment, thereis no need for a living hinge as the arms are independent and notconnected at the second end 358 of the latch 350. However, similar tothe embodiments with living hinges, a user must move both arms to theunlocked position at the same time to unlock the latch (and open thehousing).

In some embodiments, the housing (not shown) may be designed withstructural features that form slots for directing desired downwardmovement of the first arm 352 a and the second arm 352 b. For example,the slots may direct the movement of the arms and prevent lateralmovement so that a force applied from an authorized key will result inmovement of the arms to the unlocked position (e.g., to disengage with alatch capture feature). In this regard, in some cases, non-connection ofthe arms to each other can lead them to be sometimes be susceptible toindependent lateral movement.

In some embodiments, the lock may be designed to receive a removable (ornon-removable) button that can be installed and left in the lock forenabling non-locked access to the housing of the product dispenser. Forexample, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, a button 480 may include twolegs 481 a and 481 b that fit within the first key hole 498 a and thesecond key hole 498 b of the lock 490 (and between the rib 497). The twobutton legs 481 a, 481 b may include one or more installation features(e.g., protrusions 482 a, 482 b) that keep the button 480 installed inthe lock 490, so as to prevent the button 480 from being pulled out fromthe lock 490. In some embodiments, the two button legs 481 a, 481 b maybe flexible and able to be moved laterally with respect to each other toenable a user to disengage the mounting features 482 a, 482 b and pushthe button 480 out of the lock 490 from the inside (e.g., when thehousing is opened). Notably, with the button 480 installed, a user maysimply press down on the button 480 to cause the button legs 481 a, 482b to engage the first arm and the second arm of the latch toindependently move both arms to the unlocked position—thereby enablingopening of the housing.

Example Product Dispensers

As noted herein, different types of product dispensers are contemplatedfor use with various embodiments of latches described herein. Thus,different types of components, features, or portions of the productdispenser are contemplated for having limited access within a securedhousing of the product dispenser. For example, FIG. 12 illustrates ablock diagram of a generic product dispenser that illustrates some basiccomponents of the various contemplated product dispenser. In theillustrated embodiment, a product dispenser 500 is shown. The productdispenser 500 includes a first portion 512 (e.g., a cover) and a secondportion 514 (e.g., a base) of a housing. A mechanism 509 of the productdispenser 500 may enable dispensing of product from a supply of product507.

Some specific product supplies and mechanisms are described herein, suchas below and with respect to FIGS. 2A-2B. For example, for a sheetproduct dispenser, an example supply of product may include a roll ofsheet product, and a corresponding example mechanism may comprises aroll holder for receiving the roll of sheet product and enablingdispensing from the product dispenser. As another example, for a sheetproduct dispenser, an example supply of product may comprise a roll ofsheet product, and a corresponding example mechanism may comprise adrive roller and a motor, wherein the motor operates to cause the driveroller to dispense a portion of the roll of sheet product from theproduct dispenser. As yet another example, for a soap dispenser, anexample supply of product may comprise a reservoir of flowable material,and a corresponding example mechanism may comprise a pump that isconfigured to activate to cause a portion of the flowable material todispense from the product dispenser. As yet another example, for an airfreshener dispenser, an example supply of product may comprise areservoir of air freshener, and a corresponding mechanism may comprise aspray pump that is configured to activate to cause a portion of the airfreshener to dispense from the product dispenser.

As indicated herein, some embodiments of the present invention may beutilized with a sheet product dispenser. For example, certain describedembodiments herein may be utilized with tissue product dispensers. Insuch example embodiments, the tissue dispenser may have components(e.g., roll holders, a rotary mechanism, a motor, a controller, a driveroller, a pinch roller, etc.) that can be utilized to receive the supplyof product (e.g., a roll of sheet product) and facilitate dispensingfrom the dispenser. Additional information regarding example tissueproduct dispensers, including components and functionality thereof, canbe found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,162,252 and 7,861,964, both of which areassigned to the owner of the present invention and incorporated byreference in their entireties. Similarly, certain described embodimentsherein may be utilized with napkin product dispensers. In such exampleembodiments, the napkin dispenser may have components (e.g., rollholders, a motor, a controller, a drive roller, a pinch roller, etc.)that can be utilized to receive the supply of product (e.g., a roll ofsheet product) and facilitate dispensing from the dispenser. Additionalinformation regarding example napkin product dispensers, includingcomponents and functionality thereof, can be found in U.S. Pat. No.9,604,811, which is assigned to the owner of the present invention andincorporated by reference in its entirety. As another example, certaindescribed embodiments herein may be utilized with paper toweldispensers. In such example embodiments, the mechanical paper toweldispensers may have components (e.g., roll holders, a lever, a motor, acontroller, a drive roller, a pinch roller, etc.) that can be utilizedto receive the supply of product (e.g., a roll of sheet product, a stackof sheet product) and facilitate dispensing from the dispenser.Additional information regarding automated and non-automated paper toweldispensers, including components and functionality thereof, can be foundin U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,270,292, 5,441,189, U.S. Publication No.2017/0290471, each of which are assigned to the owner of the presentinvention and incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Also as indicated herein, some embodiments of the present invention maybe utilized with other types of product dispensers. For example, certaindescribed embodiments herein may be utilized with cutlery productdispensers. In such example embodiments, the cutlery dispenser may havecomponents (e.g., a lever, a motor, a controller, a dispensingmechanism, etc.) that can be utilized to receive the supply of product(e.g., a stack of cutlery) and facilitate dispensing from the dispenser.Additional information regarding example cutlery product dispensers,including components and functionality thereof, can be found in U.S.Pat. No. 9,237,815, which is assigned to the owner of the presentinvention and incorporated by reference in its entirety. As anotherexample, certain described embodiments herein may be utilized withskincare product dispensers, such as may dispense flowable material(e.g., soap, gel, liquid, lotion, foam, etc.). In such exampleembodiments, the skincare product dispenser may have components (e.g., areservoir, a cartridge, a lever, a motor, a pump, a controller, etc.)that can be utilized to receive the supply of product (e.g., a reservoirof the product) and facilitate dispensing from the dispenser. Additionalinformation regarding example skincare product dispensers, includingcomponents and functionality thereof, can be found in U.S. Pat. No.8,746,510, which is assigned to the owner of the present invention andincorporated by reference in its entirety. As yet another example,certain described embodiments herein may be utilized with air freshenerproduct dispensers. In such example embodiments, the air freshenerdispenser may have components (e.g., a reservoir, a cartridge, a lever,a motor, a pump, a spray pump, a controller, etc.) that can be utilizedto receive the supply of product (e.g., a reservoir of the product) andfacilitate dispensing from the dispenser. Additional informationregarding example air freshener product dispensers, including componentsand functionality thereof, can be found in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2016/0030620, which is assigned to the owner of thepresent invention and incorporated by reference in its entirety.

CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein may come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the embodiments of the invention are not to belimited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theinvention. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and theassociated drawings describe example embodiments in the context ofcertain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should beappreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions maybe provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scopeof the invention. In this regard, for example, different combinations ofelements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are alsocontemplated within the scope of the invention. Although specific termsare employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive senseonly and not for purposes of limitation.

1. A product dispenser for dispensing product from a supply of product,the product dispenser comprising: a housing comprising a first portionand a second portion, wherein the first portion is configured to movebetween an open position and a closed position, wherein, when in theclosed position, the first portion and the second portion define an atleast partially enclosed internal space for receiving the supply ofproduct and limiting access to the supply of product; and a latchcomprising: a base portion mounted to the first portion; a first armthat extends from the base portion, wherein the first arm is capable ofbeing moved from a biased locked position to an unlocked position,wherein the first arm defines a first arm engagement feature that isconfigured to engage a latch capture feature of the second portion ofthe housing when the first arm is in the locked position and the firstportion of the housing is in the closed position so as to prevent thefirst portion from moving from the closed position; and a second armthat extends from the base portion, wherein the second arm is capable ofbeing moved from a biased locked position to an unlocked position,wherein the second arm defines a second arm engagement feature that isconfigured to engage the latch capture feature of the second portion ofthe housing when the second arm is in the locked position and the firstportion of the housing is in the closed position so as to prevent thefirst portion from moving from the closed position, wherein the firstarm is independently movable with respect to the second arm such thateither of the first arm or the second arm may move to the unlockedposition without causing the other of the first arm or the second arm toalso move to the unlocked position.
 2. The product dispenser of claim 1,wherein the latch defines a first end and a second end, wherein the baseportion of the latch is mounted to the first portion of the housingproximate the first end, wherein the first arm extends from the baseportion toward the second end of the latch, and wherein the second armextends from the base portion toward the second end of the latch.
 3. Theproduct dispenser of claim 2, wherein the latch further comprises aconnection arm extending between the first arm and the second armproximate the second end of the latch such that the first arm and thesecond arm are connected.
 4. The product dispenser of claim 3, whereinthe connection arm comprises at least one living hinge that enables thefirst arm to independently flex with respect to the second arm.
 5. Theproduct dispenser of claim 4, wherein the connection arm comprises afirst living hinge proximate the first arm and a second living hingeproximate the second arm.
 6. The product dispenser of claim 2, whereinthe first arm forms a first cantilever and the second arm forms a secondcantilever such that the first arm and the second arm are not connectedproximate the second end of the latch.
 7. The product dispenser of claim1 further comprising a lock comprising a first hole and a second holeand a rib positioned therebetween, wherein the lock is positionedproximate the latch on one of the first portion or the second portionand such that the first hole aligns with the first arm of the latch andthat the second hole aligns with the second arm of the latch, whereinthe first hole and the second hole enable insertion of a portion of akey to move the first arm to the unlocked position and the second arm tothe unlocked position at a same time.
 8. The product dispenser of claim7, wherein the key defines a first key leg and a second key leg,wherein, when the key is inserted into the lock, the first key leg isconfigured to fit within the first hole and engage the first arm to movethe first arm to the unlocked position and the second key leg isconfigured to fit within the second hole and engage the second arm tomove the second arm to the unlocked position.
 9. The product dispenserof claim 7 further comprising a button that is configured to beremovably mounted within the lock and moved between a first position anda second position, wherein, when the button is moved to the secondposition, the button is configured to engage the first arm to move thefirst arm to the unlocked position and engage the second arm to move thesecond arm to the unlocked position.
 10. The product dispenser of claim1 further comprising a mechanism for enabling dispensing of product fromthe supply of product, wherein the supply of product comprises a roll ofsheet product, and wherein the mechanism comprises a roll holder forreceiving the roll of sheet product and enabling dispensing from theproduct dispenser.
 11. The product dispenser of claim 1 furthercomprising a mechanism for enabling dispensing of product from thesupply of product, wherein the supply of product comprises a roll ofsheet product, and wherein the mechanism comprises a drive roller and amotor, wherein the motor operates to cause the drive roller to dispensea portion of the roll of sheet product from the product dispenser. 12.The product dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a mechanism forenabling dispensing of product from the supply of product, wherein thesupply of product comprises a reservoir of flowable material, andwherein the mechanism comprises a pump that is configured to activate tocause a portion of the flowable material to dispense from the productdispenser.
 13. The product dispenser of claim 1 further comprising amechanism for enabling dispensing of product from the supply of product,wherein the supply of product comprises a reservoir of air freshener,and wherein the mechanism comprises a spray pump that is configured toactivate to cause a portion of the air freshener to dispense from theproduct dispenser.
 14. A product dispenser for dispensing product from asupply of product, the product dispenser comprising: a housingcomprising a base and a cover, wherein the cover is configured to movebetween an open position and a closed position, wherein, when the coveris in the closed position, the base and the cover define an enclosedinternal space for the supply of product; and a latch comprising: afirst arm, wherein the first arm is capable of being moved from a lockedposition to an unlocked position, wherein the first arm defines a firstarm engagement feature that is configured to engage a latch capturefeature of the housing when the first arm is in the locked position andthe cover of the housing is in the closed position so as to prevent thecover from moving from the closed position; and a second arm, whereinthe second arm is capable of being moved from a locked position to anunlocked position, wherein the second arm defines a second armengagement feature that is configured to engage the latch capturefeature of the housing when the second arm is in the locked position andthe cover of the housing is in the closed position so as to prevent thecover from moving from the closed position, wherein the first arm isindependently movable with respect to the second arm such that either ofthe first arm or the second arm may move to the unlocked positionwithout causing the other of the first arm or the second arm to alsomove to the unlocked position.
 15. The product dispenser of claim 14,wherein the latch defines a first end and a second end, wherein thelatch is mounted to the housing proximate the first end, wherein thefirst arm extends toward the second end of the latch, and wherein thesecond arm extends toward the second end of the latch.
 16. The productdispenser of claim 15, wherein the latch further comprises a connectionarm extending between the first arm and the second arm proximate thesecond end of the latch such that the first arm and the second arm areconnected, and wherein the connection arm comprises at least one livinghinge that enables the first arm to independently flex with respect tothe second arm.
 17. A latch for a product dispenser for dispensingproduct from a supply of product, the latch comprising: a base portion;a first arm that extends from the base portion, wherein the first arm iscapable of being moved from a biased locked position to an unlockedposition when installed in the product dispenser, wherein the first armdefines a first arm engagement feature that is configured to engage alatch capture feature of a housing of the product dispenser when thefirst arm is in the locked position and the housing is closed so as toprevent the housing from opening; and a second arm that extends from thebase portion, wherein the second arm is capable of being moved from abiased locked position to an unlocked position when installed in theproduct dispenser, wherein the second arm defines a second armengagement feature that is configured to engage the latch capturefeature of the housing when the second arm is in the locked position andthe housing is closed so as to prevent the housing from opening, whereinthe first arm is independently movable with respect to the second armsuch that either of the first arm or the second arm may move to theunlocked position without causing the other of the first arm or thesecond arm to also move to the unlocked position.
 18. The latch of claim17, wherein the latch defines a first end and a second end, wherein thefirst arm extends from the base portion toward the second end of thelatch, and wherein the second arm extends from the base portion towardthe second end of the latch.
 19. The latch of claim 18, wherein thelatch further comprises a connection arm extending between the first armand the second arm proximate the second end of the latch such that thefirst arm and the second arm are connected, and wherein the connectionarm comprises at least one living hinge that enables the first arm toindependently flex with respect to the second arm.
 20. The latch ofclaim 18, wherein the first arm forms a first cantilever and the secondarm forms a second cantilever such that the first arm and the second armare not connected proximate the second end of the latch.